Tigers set for Winter Caravan Jan. 24-25, 2013

Tigers set for Winter Caravan Jan. 24-25

By Jason Beck / MLB.com | 01/11/13 6:40 PM ET

DETROIT -- The Tigers' Winter Caravan has taken on a recent pattern of putting star players in everyday jobs. Remember Magglio Ordonez and Jose Valverde working the counter at McDonald's? Recall Doug Fister's stint at the Meijer bakery department last year?

This year, the Tigers are set to put Austin Jackson and Max Scherzer to work serving up burgers at a Red Robin restaurant in Madison Heights, Mich., while Phil Coke and Torii Hunter serve up coffee at a Dunkin Donuts location in Southfield.

The Tigers' Winter Caravan is scheduled for Jan. 24-25, leading up to the return of TigerFest at Comerica Park on Saturday, Jan. 26. The full schedule of events for the caravan and players participating has not yet been released.

While tickets have sold out for fans to flock to Comerica Park for TigerFest, the caravan is meant to complement the headline event by bringing the players out to fans. Some of the events recognize outstanding efforts in the community. Others, like the players-on-the-job events, are more fun.

One leg of the caravan will keep players around for events in Detroit and surrounding areas. Another will tote players out to other parts of the state.

The unofficial start to the festivities is Jan. 23, when selected players and coaches branch out to two of the Tigers' nearby Minor League affiliates for their offseason warmup events. Manager Jim Leyland will return home to Toledo, Ohio, along with much of his coaching staff for the Mud Hens' annual Fandemonium celebration at Fifth Third Field.

Players scheduled to take part include infielder Danny Worth, catcher Brayan Holaday and left-handers Casey Crosby and Darin Downs, all of whom played for the Hens at some point last season. Tickets are on sale at mudhens.com or by calling 419-725-4367 .

Around the same time, Tigers president/general manager Dave Dombrowski will be in Grand Rapids, Mich., where he'll be the guest speaker at the 19th annual West Michigan Whitecaps Winter Banquet at DeVos Place. New Whitecaps manager Larry Parrish is also slated to attend along with Tigers left-hander Drew Smyly and outfielders Andy Dirks and Quintin Berry. Former Tigers pitcher and Michigan native Andy Van Hekken will be inducted into the Whitecaps Hall of Fame.

The banquet begins at 5:45 p.m. ET, and includes a memorabilia auction. Proceeds from the auction and the dinner go to the Whitecaps Community Foundation to benefit the Grand Rapids YMCA inner city youth baseball and softball programs, along with the Detroit Tigers Foundation.

Tickets for the banquet are on sale through Monday, Jan. 14 at $80 per person or $900 for a corporate table for 10. For more information, call the Whitecaps at 616-726-7017 .

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. Read Beck's Blog and follow him on Twitter @beckjason. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

01/14/2013 12:56 PM ET
2013 Detroit Tigers Winter Caravan ready to roll
Tigers players and coaches to visit fans across the state

DETROIT - The 2013 Detroit Tigers Winter Caravan, presented by FOX Sports Detroit and Pure Michigan, is set for Thursday, January 24 and Friday, January 25, and features an exciting lineup of appearances in Detroit and around the state of Michigan. Tigers President, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager David Dombrowski, Vice President/Assistant General Manager Al Avila, Manager Jim Leyland, coaches, players, broadcasters and Detroit's favorite mascot PAWS, will take part in a two-day journey traveling in two buses and an additional dozen vehicles, across the region, spreading baseball fever to fans of all ages.

"These are exciting times for Tigers fans with great anticipation for the upcoming season, and it all starts with the Winter Caravan," said Elaine Lewis, Vice President of Community and Public Affairs. "We once again are expecting outstanding participation from our players, manager and coaching staff to engage with fans throughout the state of Michigan and Northwest Ohio."

Metro Bus

Thursday, January 24
1:00-2:30 p.m.
GM Heritage Center, 6400 Center Drive, Sterling Heights
Tigers players will tour a showcase of heritage, classic, race car and concept vehicles.
Photo opportunity with invited guests including local servicemen and women.

1:30-2:15 p.m.
Red Robin, 31805 John R. Road, Madison Heights
Two tigers players (Max Scherzer and Austin Jackson) will serve as celebrity waiters for customers at Red Robin
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

1:35-2:05 p.m.
Holocaust Memorial Center, 28123 Orchard Lake Road, Farmington Hills
Tigers players will receive an orientation of the Holocaust Memorial Center

2:30-3:45 p.m.
The Detroit Arsenal Family and MWR at the US Army Garrison
US Army Garrison, 6501 E. 11 Mile Road, Warren
Tigers players will tour the Ground Systems Power and Energy Lab (GSPEL), a new one-of-a-kind facility that addresses the emerging power and energy challenges facing the Army's next generation of ground vehicles.
Players will observe and participate in a tactical robot demonstration.
Players will participate in an interactive question and answer session with soldiers, Veterans and employees.

3:15-4:30 p.m.
West Bloomfield Police Department, 4530 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield Township
Tigers players will attend a meet and greet with officers of the West Bloomfield Police Department to give thanks for their service to the community and to honor fallen Sergeant Patrick O' Rourke

4:00-4:40 p.m.
Royal Oak Fire Station #2, 31000 Woodward Ave, Royal Oak
Tigers players will attend a meet and greet dinner with firefighters of Royal Oak Fire Station #2 to give thanks for their service to the community

4:00-6:00 p.m.
Palladium 12 Theatre in Birmingham, 250 N. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham
Rally featuring Tigers players will include an interactive question and answer session, games, raffle prizes, giveaways and more. (Rally featuring Justin Verlander Joaquin Benoit, Miguel Cabrera, Brayan
Holaday, Danny Worth, Jeff Kobernus, Kyle Lobstein, Brayan Pena)
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC (Program begins at 5:00 p.m.)

4:00-6:00 p.m.
Royal Oak Middle School, 709 N. Washington Ave., Royal Oak
Interactive question-and-answer session with parents and students about anti-bullying (Phil Coke)
The winners of the Detroit Tigers Anti-Bullying Essay/Story Contest in partnership with Detroit Newspapers in Education and Michigan K.I.D.S will be announced
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC (tickets no longer available)

5:15-6:00 p.m.
Hockeytown Authentics, 1845 East Big Beaver Road, Troy
Fans have the opportunity to take a photo with two Tigers players (Max Scherzer and Austin Jackson).
A collection to benefit fire victims will be administered by the American Red Cross
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Friday, January 25
10:00-11:30 a.m.
United States Coast Guard, 110 Mount Elliott Street, Detroit
Tigers will headline a rally, including an interactive question and answer session with members of the U.S. Coast Guard and Veterans from the Tuskegee Airmen and Montford Pointe Marines

10:30-11:00a.m.
Dunkin Donuts, 29285 Southfield Road, Southfield
Two tigers players (Torii Hunter and Phil Coke) will serve as celebrity baristas for customers at Dunkin Donuts
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
DMC Children's Hospital of Michigan, 3901 Beaubien Street, Detroit
Playroom visit with patients

11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
North American International Auto Show
Cobo Hall, General Motors Display Area, One Washington Blvd., Detroit
Fan rally and parade, including an interactive question and answer session in the Chevrolet Display Area.
(Tigers set to participate are Cabrera, Coke, Hunter, Verlander and broadcaster Rod Allen.)
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

11:45 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
United States Customs and Border Protection, Fort Street Cargo Facility, 2810 West Fort St., Detroit
Tigers players will receive an orientation of United States Customs and Border Protection operations
Players will participate in a rally and interactive question and answer session for officers and employees

1:00-2:30 p.m.
DTE Energy, 1 Energy Plaza, Detroit
Tigers players will participate in a rally and interactive question and answer session for employees

2:30-3:45 p.m.
GM Renaissance Center Wintergarden, 400 Renaissance Center, Detroit
Tigers headline an employee rally, including an interactive question and answer session
In partnership with Think Detroit P.A.L., GM employees will donate baseball and softball equipment to benefit local area youth
A jersey will be presented to recognize the launch of 13 new Chevrolet products in 2013

2:45-3:00 p.m.
Wayne State University Center for Latino and Latin American Studies
Wayne State University, 5045 Anthony Wayne Drive, Detroit
Tigers players will participate in a roundtable discussion and Q&A session with Wayne State University students and teachers from the Greater Detroit Hispanic community
Tigers players will share their experience as Latinos in Major League Baseball with students at Wayne State University at the recently renovated Latin American cultural room, Salon de Nuestra Cultura

2:50-3:25 p.m.
Manoogian Mansion, 9240 Dwight Street, Detroit
Mayor Dave Bing will share the history of the Manoogian Mansion for Tigers players and personnel


North Bus

Thursday, January 24
11:00-1:00 p.m.
Northern Michigan Regional Chamber Alliance Luncheon
Cadillac Grill, 7839 E. 46 1/2 Rd., Cadillac
Tigers players will participate in the Northern Michigan Regional Chamber Alliance luncheon, hosted by the Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce
Silent and live auction to benefit Detroit Tigers Foundation

1:00-1:45 p.m.
Sweet Shop
Sweet Shop, Cadillac, 111 South Mitchell Street, Cadillac
Tigers players will make candy and greet employees to celebrate the Sweet Shop's 50th anniversary

2:00-3:00 p.m.
Pepsi
Pepsi Marketing and Equipment Center, 6200 Taylor Drive, Flint
After a tour of the facilities, Tigers players will unveil a special new vending machine to commemorate the 2012 American League Championship

3:30-6:00 p.m.
Christian Youth Fellowship Association Rally
Temple Theatre, 201 North Washington Avenue, Saginaw
Tigers players will participate in a community rally benefitting the Christian Youth Fellowship Association featuring the American League Championship Trophy

5:00-7:30 p.m.
Great Lakes Bay Hispanic Leadership Institute Banquet
Saginaw Valley State University - Curtis Hall, 7400 Bay Road, Saginaw
Tigers players and personnel will participate in the Hispanic Leadership Graduation Banquet

Friday, January 25
7:30-10:30 a.m.
Soaring Eagle Casino Community Rally
Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort, 6800 East Broadway Road, Mt. Pleasant
Tigers players will participate in a community rally featuring the American League Championship Trophy hosted in partnership with the Soaring Eagle Casino, Central Michigan University Athletics, Central Michigan University Alumni Association, Mt. Pleasant Chamber of Commerce and Mt. Pleasant Convention and Visitors Bureau

11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Midland Center for Arts Community Rally
Midland Center for Arts, 1801 Saint Andrews Street, Midland
Tigers players will participate in a community rally which will include a special Dreams Come True presentation hosted in partnership with the Midland Center for Arts, Dow Gardens and the Midland Chamber of Commerce

11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
22nd Annual Snowfest
Zehnder's of Frankenmuth, 730 South Main Street, Frankenmuth
Tigers players will participate in the 21st Annual Snowfest and recognize the 150 year anniversary of the Frankenmuth Brewery
In partnership with Zehnder's and Pepsi, scarves, hats and gloves will be collected for donation to the Salvation Army of Saginaw County

*PLAYER NAMES ADDED FROM DET. NEWS AND FREE PRESS INFO.
Tigers announce itinerary for 2013 winter caravan
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130114/SPORTS0104/301140408/1129/SPORTS0104/Tigers-announce-itinerary-2013-winter-caravan

Tigers' 2013 Winter Caravan schedule (PDF)